Kabul, Riyadh to enter economic cooperation deal soon

KABUL (PAN): The governments of Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia are all set to enter a comprehensive agreement on social and economic cooperation in the near future, Afghan envoy to the kingdom said on Wednesday.

“We have a long history of relationship with Saudi Arabia and the ties will hit new heights once the proposed agreement is signed,” Syed Ahmad Omarkhil told Pajhwok Afghan News.

All legal aspects of the nine-article agreement had been studied by the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the pact was expected to be inked by ambassadors of the two countries in the near future, he said.

He said it was not a strategic partnership agreement, but a general cooperation accord that would remain focused on bilateral economic growth and cooperation in the areas of business, investment, technology, education, health, culture, sports and others.

“Former Afghan King Mohammad Zahir Shah inked an agreement of friendship with Saudi Arabia’s King Malik Abdul Aziz in Jeddah in 1932. Since then, there has been no new agreement between the two countries", he said.

He explained under the proposed agreement, Afghanistan and Saudi would develop bilateral ties in the framework of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT).

Omarkhil added the possible agreement had a special importance for Afghanistan because the Kingdom was economically strong.

“Saudi has a vast experience in mines exploration and we can see positive signs of its investments in Pakistan, India and Sudan. Afghanistan has more opportunities in this regard," he said.